Everyday Eats: The Californian at Zanzibar Cafe

Sometimes, a build-it-yourself breakfast platter is the way to go.

Let's face it, often the three most important parts of the day are breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And that's why here at SanDiegoMagazine.com, we're beefing up our food and restaurant coverage by shining the spotlight on tasty meals under $10. Foie gras and Kobe beef still have a place at our table, but these meals are so reasonably priced, you can eat them every day.

Most days, breakfast is a quick bowl of oatmeal or a slice of toast, but on days when I get a late start and want something that's more like lunch, The Californian from Zanzibar Cafe is a good bet. The breakfast platter comes with a toasted bagel (whole wheat or white), whipped cream cheese, hummus, avocado, sliced tomato, and daikon sprouts.

How you eat it is really up to you. Drizzle the hummus over the tomatoes and avocado and eat them like a salad, make a cream cheese and sprout sandwich, or eat the bagel open-faced with a bit of everything stacked up on top, like I did. All of the ingredients go so well together that you really can't get it wrong.

There's enough cream cheese to really slather it on, and the sweet tomato pairs perfectly with the buttery avocado and crunchy sprouts. A dollop of hummus and squirt of lemon on top brings a touch of acid and more depth of flavor.

There are two other Zanzibar locations (Pacific Beach and in The Loft at UCSD), but you can only get The Californian at the downtown location. The breakfast or lunch-friendly option is available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Restaurant reviews, food trends, top cocktails, wine, beer and generally the best eats and drinks in San Diego, with reporting (read: eating) lead by food editor Troy Johnson. Looking for the Erins? Erin Chambers Smith and Erin Meanley? Find their most recent musings over at the Around Town blog. And yes, we know that one needs a new name. We're working on it.